This restoration area is a section of a north facing ridge between the western edge of Brisbane and Buckeye Canyon. It is part of a much larger native prairie grassland that extends up to the ridge, along the eastern ridge and covers large areas of the southeast slopes. These slopes and grasslands are the natural haunts of the Callippe Silverspot and Mission Blue butterflies due to the presence of host plants and favored nectar plants.

The restoration area has thin, rocky soil - characteristic of ridges on the mountain - and was burned in the fire of 2008 when backfires were set along Army Road - perfect conditions for some of our worst invasive plants to thrive. Volunteer Weed Rangers spent last year removing problem plants in preparation for outplanting this season: pincushion flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea), French broom (Genista monspessulana), wild radish (Raphanus sativus) and mustard (Hirschfeldia incana).

And now, into the ground go the native grasses and perennials - and just as work was finishing up on January 29th a slight sprinkle of rain started and continued into the next day. Temporary relief for all flora and fauna, but we're still waiting for more...